Lollapalooza 2014, which goes down from August 1-3 in Chicago, announced its 2014 lineup. Artists include Eminem, Outkast, Kings of Leon, Arctic Monekys, Skrilex, Broken Bells and tons more. 3-day passes are sold out, but single day tickets go on sale today at 10 AM.

While last night's Wester Hall show (2/6) wasn't as (indie) star-studded as the Cupid Deluxe record release show at 285 Kent back in December, Blood Orange's Dev Hynes has more than enough charisma to hold his own. This was Dev's first big, proper show since the release of his acclaimed second Blood Orange album and, while David Longstreth didn't make an appearance, Caroline Polachek of Chailift was on hand for night opener "Chamkay" and Queens rapper Despot joined later for his verse on "Clipped On."

Friends singer (and Hynes' girlfriend) Samantha Urbani, who is on much of the record, is basically a member of Blood Orange at this point and spent most of the evening on stage providing vocal support (there were back-up singers too, part of his very able band). UNO R&B singer (and frequent Mykki Blanco/Le1f collaborator) Ian Isiah opened the show. Pictures of both artists are in this post, as is Blood Orange's setlist.

Blood Orange are heading to the UK for a few dates. No word on an actual North American tour, but Dev and the band will be at Coachella in April. All dates are listed, along with more pics from Webster Hall, below...

One of the coolest festivals in the world, Barcelona's Primavera Sound will hold its 2014 edition from May 29 - 31. Arcade Fire, Pixies and Neutral Milk Hotel were announced as headliners a while back but the fest announced it's headliners today via an online short film. They've outdone themselves this year, as the three day event includes a reunited Slowdive (!), Godspeed You! Black Emperor, The National, Television, Slint, Foals, Warpaint, St. Vincent, Majical Cloudz, Kendrick Lamar, The National, Metronomy, Queens of the Stone Age, Disclosure, CHVRCHES, Darkside, Julia Holter, Cloud Nothings , and more.

Dev Hynes has had a lot going on in the past eight weeks. He released Cupid Deluxe to widespread acclaim, lost his apartment in a fire, featured a plethora of year-end lists, received an outpouring of support through a fundraiser he knew nothing about, and then revived his old moniker, Lightspeed Champion, for a show at Cameo Gallery. It was within this context that he and girlfriend/collaborator Samantha Urbani performed a one-off Trans-Pecos show under the name Gayer on Monday night (12/30).

No one really knew what to expect from the concert. Much of the afternoon was spent checking the Facebook event, where promoter Jason Mandel answered any and all questions about what exactly was happening that night. He promised a live show with the duo "doing metal rap and other crazyness (sic)" and in the end, we were slightly surprised to find that the couple completely (and efficiently) fulfilled these expectations.

They opened with the metal portion, a chaotic, explosive track that found Dev playing an electronic (Casio?) guitar over swirls of pre-recorded drums while Samantha donned a gas mask and stood on the counter behind the stage, singing in slow streams of evil, low-pitched tones like some sort of alien about to swallow the audience. YU$$ provided mood-enhancing and much-needed visuals for the show, which, for the most part, are all people really can see in a no-stage DIY venue.

The rap came next, and we were more than a little surprised to realize that their selection was actually Eminem's recent six-minute single "Rap God." The mood changed suddenly. Samantha's mask came off and the duo stood front and center, exchanging verses and smiling at each other like a couple performing karaoke in their living room. It felt really good to see the two having this much fun, especially in the wake of everything that's happened. Video of "Rap God" is below. On his state-of-the-fundraiser Tumblr post, Dev suggested "Maybe it's time I down some anxiety medication see a doctor and try and play some shows," and this performance felt a lot like him just getting out there and having some fun.

The show concluded after "Rap God," which left a lot of people scratching their heads - wondering what exactly happened, if two songs was an acceptable length for a show, whether or not this performance was more or less interesting than what they expected, and perhaps even if they should be reconsidering their evaluation of Eminem's newest album.

As the couple packed up their gear, the house music kicked into a dance-tempo version of "Time Will Tell." The crowd reacted immediately, dancing along and belting the lyrics in unison to close out the night. It was very interesting to be singing along to a Blood Orange song at a Blood Orange show where no Blood Orange songs were played, and it was the perfect end to a show that flew in the face of order and expectation at every possible turn. In a way, it was a coherent performance that embraced the wonderful absurdity of our world and reminded us that concerts can be anything.

Attending a show might not be the worstway to spend New Year's Eve in NYC, but there's no escaping wasted revelers. The New Years Eve DIIV, Nothing, Ratking, Potty Mouth and LODROshow at Baby's All Right was packed to the brim with party people by the time DIIV took the stage to countdown to midnight (with bubbly), and subsequently delivered an hour-long set which was peppered with new material as well as a cover of Dylan's "Like a Rolling Stone."

I didn't catch LORDO's set that kicked off the night, but Potty Mouth sounded good with their indie/punk jams and, as usual, Nothing was loud as hell. (Perfect Pussy were also originally supposed to play but ended up playing at Acheron instead.) It's a shame most people dipped out before Manhattan rap trio Ratking took the stage at 1AM, because those three teenagers packed a serious punch with their angry, energetic performance. The place filled back up at 2AM, though, for a surprise performance from Blood Orange's Dev Hynes who played a set exclusively made up of songs left over from his Cupid Deluxe sessions. Pictures from the whole night are in this post.

How did you spend your New Year's Eve? More pics from Baby's All Right below...

Dev Hynes, the man behind Blood Orange, just lost his apartment in a devastating fire, but he's been moving forward and giving back to fans (perhaps because of how much they gave to him) with intimate shows in his hometown of NYC. This past Saturday (12/21), he did a solo show at Cameo under his old Lightspeed Champion moniker, and he was joined for a song by his girlfriend/Cupid Deluxe singer/Friends singer Samantha Urbani.

Dev and Samantha have since booked another show, this time as a duo under the name Gayer, which happens at Todd P's new venue Trans Pecos on December 30 (915 Wyckoff Ave, aka the old Silent Barn space). The show will be opened by Mndsgn, Lord Raja, and Tallesin. Doors are at 10 PM and admission is $10. More info at the Facebook event and flyer below.

Dev Hynes may have lost his apartment earlier this week in a devastating fire but he hasn't lost his spirit. Perhaps as a way of giving back to fans who have shown him much support this week, he's playing a FREE NYC show Saturday night (12/21) at Cameo under his old Lightspeed Champion guise. It'll just be him solo and doors are 6 PM with the show over before 8 PM. You do need to RSVP.

Dev plays with his full Blood Orange band in NYC on February 6 at Webster Hall which is sold out.

As you may know Blood Orange's Dev Hynes' East Village apartment burned down on Monday night and he lost everything in the devastating fire, including his dog, Cupid. He wrote about it on his Tumblr this morning:

I should explain first of all, exactly what has happened, in terms that maybe will make people understand. Imagine being outside of your home one day. Then somebody presses delete, on the last decade of your life. You own nothing except for what you have on you in that precise moment. This is what has happened. It's surreal and hard to wrap your head around, or imagine unless you've experienced it. The strangest part yet, Samantha & I were at a memorial when I found out.

It's more than music. As I've seen many people talk about, or people on the street. It's my life. It's everything I've ever owned....loved... It's all gone, forever. I miss you Cupid.

A fundraiser was set up by the mother of his girlfriend (and Friends singer) Samantha Urbani, which has raised nearly $25K in the last two days. Hynes, while appreciative, says he's wants to donate the money to charity:

This happens to so many people, people that don't have a girlfriend's place they can stay at. People who don't have a job they can do to try and help themselves money wise to attempt to get back on their feet. This is in my mind every second.

I truly have lost everything I own, hard to wrap your head around, but I have. Friends of mine have been more than kind to me, friends some people may not have, families in the same position would not be as fortunate... i'm aware of this.

If I am honest, the fundraiser makes me feel extremely uncomfortable. This isn't me saying I don't need the money, to reiterate, i have lost everything. But maybe it's time I down some anxiety medication see a doctor and try and play some shows y'know? There are things i can do, although it will take years, that can help myself rebuild, a huge part of me is still struggling with understanding the events of two nights ago, and where to take my life from here.

This isn't me being unappreciative. Tears stream down my face when Samantha shows me the nice messages people have written. It's overwhelming in the most extremely nicest way that people would care about this But as I stated before, so many people have nothing they can do to rebuild their life from scratch.

I have a lot to think about, I don't even know where to start from, I just wanted to be honest.

I want to give all the money to charity, 3 charities to be precise which I will explain further at a future point, that's how I feel, i'm being spoken to by people who are close and understand my situation and are trying to advise me. As I probably am still in shock, and may not have a choice but to accept some of the money, and then think about charities, I don't know... I don't know where my head is at right now...
But I had to say something.

He further adds, "please feel free to email me if you have donated and have any concerns, or would rather your money go to charity, or not. I want to hear people's thoughts. I'm not trying to make a news story, this is just my life, and I want to be genuine with the people that have been more than genuine with me." Read the whole post here.

Pitchfork is back with its much-anticipated Top 50 Albums of 2013 list. The list has many of the albums you'd expect to see on Pitchfork's list, though there's still some surprises. If you thought M.I.Agot snubbed, you'll be happy to see her here, and if you thought James Blake deserved the Best New Music he didn't get, you'll be happy to see how high he ranks. The biggest surprise to me is that Majical Cloudz makes the top 10, and for those keeping score, Yeezus is NOT #1. Can you guess what is?

Head here to see individual writers' lists, and head below to see Pitchfork's full Top 50 Albums of 2013 list...

Dev Hynes' stellar year (including releasing Blood Orange's acclaimed new album, Cupid Deluxe) apparently got struck a sad blow -- according to tweets on his official Twitter account, his apartment burned down last night. This morning he wrote:

Last night, the unthinkable happened. My entire apt burnt down while I was out. I've lost everything I own, including scores, hard drives, clothes, sentimental items. Everything from my life is gone. My dog died in the fire. I will love you forever Cupid. I miss you. I still don't own a phone. So email me if you need to get in touch. I might need some time. Thanks.

Dev, very sad about your dog, but glad you're okay.

UPDATE: The mother of Samantha Urbani (who is Dev's girlfriend and sings on the album) set up a GoFundMe page if you'd like to help out Dev.

Meanwhile, Blood Orange will tour in 2014, including NYC at February 6 at Webster Hall which is sold out.

Other Music, the NYC record store (15 E 4th St) and record label (home to Nude Beach, Mutual Benefit, and others), has published its top 30 albums of 2013 list. The multi-genre list has a lot of cool, generally smaller releases in the electronic, hip hop, garage rock, folk, jazz, and other genres, steering clear of the big names that end up on a lot of these lists.

Check out the whole list in alphabetical order below, and read commentary on each one, plus take a look at Other Music's favorite reissues here.

Pitchfork just posted their Top 100 Tracks of 2013. It's got what some people might call the worst song ever, the song with the most talked-about rap verse of the year, some surprises, and some of the year's most undeniable songs. Their #1 pick is certainly one of those undeniable songs, whether or not you're a fan of the artist who made it. What do you think of their list? Did your favorite song make it? Any glaring omissions?

The week of its release, he celebrated with an uber-packed, guest-filled show at 285 Kent that was also the debut of his new full live band. (Sound/feedback issues aside, they were really good at 285.) While he hasn't made any full tour plans, Dev has announced his next NYC show which happens February 6 at Webster Hall. Is that close enough to be considered a Cupid Deluxe Valentine's Day show? Tickets go on sale Friday (12/13) at noon with an AmEx presale starting Wednesday (12/11) at noon.

NPR Music posted their 50 Favorite Albums of 2013, and as usual it included a lot of classical, jazz, world music, but also many of the indie/pop/rap/metal that shows up on these lists like Bill Callahan, Blood Orange, Chance the Rapper, Deafheaven, Flaming Lips, Haim, James Blake, Kanye West, Laura Marling, Run the Jewels, Sky Ferreira, Waxahatchee and more. Their list is in alphabetical order, and you can browse the full thing below.

One of the more obvious Reese's Cup pop moments of the last year or so was Solange's "Losing You," a song co-written and produced by Blood Orange's Dev Hynes. Dev did the same for her mini-LP True, played in her band on her tours and seemed to be having a great time doing so. But the issue of credit began seeping in earlier this year. As detailed in a recent Fader feature on Hynes, Solange had been upset at being refered to merely as "vocal muse" in many reviews; Dev maintains that "Losing You" was written before they started working together. From the Fader article:

At a show in a Chinatown boutique in September, an overpacked crowd turns up to see a rare Blood Orange performance with a full band. Hynes, in a long coat and leather kufi, takes off his jacket to perform "Bad Girls," one of the songs he wrote that Solange re-recorded for True. Then, before launching into "Everything Is Embarrassing," Hynes gives a brief monologue, oddly compelled to footnote a song he created: "I've got a lot of shots ready to be fired, and I guess this is the shot. This is a song I wrote for another singer. She said a couple weeks ago that she doesn't like when I say I wrote it--this happens a lot to me, but I'm not an arrogant guy. That said, I've written some songs for people and they haven't given me due credit and it pisses me off."

If you wanna take shots at me text me call me talk to me in person but don't ever drop a subliminal, talk behind my back, or send a flunky. I'm doing myself. Ain't nothing to do with anyone else, I'm about myself, like any self respecting human should be. We live & die alone. I have beef with no one. I won't even mention your name ever again. Any of you. I've said my bit. I've reached out. I've praised you. But now it's done. It's over. We're done. Bye.

Dev's didn't mention anyone by name, but Solange @'d him with these:

When you do tumblr post, speak about things in interviews, tweet, issues then belong to the public. I have been minding my biz. I have only ever praised you and spoken about you positively, even when our perspectives were totally different. I still support your artistry & am extremely happy for your success. I just wished you were honest about the making of my album. That's all I'm going to say on this. You know more than anyone niggas love drama. Also u know very well I have reached out. Bless. Ps: Your phone been going straight to VM for long time.

Let's hope they can work things out (maybe not on social media) because they do make good music together.

In very related news, Dev shared thoughts yesterday via Twitter on Jay-Z's partnership with Barney's. These tweets are still up, here in strung-together form:

The biggest 'Fuck You' in history could have been Jay-Z saying NO to Barneys. I'm a big fan [of Jay], of course, who isn't? But just looking at it from the perspective of someone that has had racial abuse in my life. It's cool that all proceeds are going to charity, that's great! But now Barneys, an already rich company that could be charitable anyway... get a cosign and an easy route to redeeming their name. None of the parties involved need more money. They NEED less.

Blood Orange has his NYC record release showtonight (11/15) at 285 Kent for his new album Cupid Deluxe, which pretty much sold out instantly. Apart from that he was playing with a full band that included Friends' Samantha Urbani, other details on the show were scant, with promises of "special guests" and little else. But Dev Hynes just revealed the full plan for tonight's show on Facebook:

At tonight's record release show @ 285 Kent, I will be performing CUPID DELUXE with a live band feat. Caroline Polachek, Dave Longstreth & Despot. Le1f will be opening up at 10:30 and then I perform at 11:30. See you there.

Caroline Polachek, Dave Longstreth, and Despot are among those who make guest appearances on Cupid Deluxe. Doors are at 9 PM for tonight's show. Dev just released a video for Cupid Deluxe's closing track "Time Will Tell," which was recorded live (and riffs on "Is What it Is" which is also on the album). You can watch that below.

Dev Hynes will release Cupid Deluxe, his second album as Blood Orange, on November 19. Having spent the last couple years writing well-liked songs for other people (Sky Ferreira, Solange), Dev has upped his game for the new record which features 10 slinky/sulty dance jams with guest appearances from David Longstreth, Chairlift's Caroline Polachek, Friends' Samantha Urbani, Clams Casino, Despot, and more. The whole record is streaming now via iTunes. (Those outside the U.S. can stream it here.) You can also watch the video for single "You're Not Good Enough" (featuring Urbani) below.

Blood Orange, who just played Pitchfork Paris over the weekend, doesn't have a full tour lined up just yet, but he will be playing a record release show at 285 Kent on November 15. While he's done shows in solo-with-laptop mode, this incarnation of Blood Orange is Dev with four-piece band, plus Urbani on vocals as well. Tickets for that NYC show are on sale now.

While Dev Hynes has been very busy -- and very successful -- writing songs for and playing with other people (Solange, Sky Ferreira) he hasn't given up on his own music. His second album under the Blood Orange name, titled Cupid Deluxe, is due out before the end of the year. The first single, "Chamakay," was released today. You can check it out via its video which was filmed in Guyana on a trip Hynes made to visit his mother's hometown for the first time ever. There are some very charming moments. Check it out below.

After entering with a robed choir behind him, R. Kelly starts stringing together his hits, medley style. A verse, a chorus, and then on to the next. Songs about "getting freaky in the club," the kitchen, the car, wherever. Kelly was the subject of a years-long investigation over child-pornography charges, but was eventually acquitted in 2008. None of that appears to matter to anyone left in the park tonight, as one of the largest crowds in Pitchfork history flocks to check out the dominant R&B performer of the last two decades. The Union Park crowd reaction isn't quite as over-the-top as that of his typical audience, but the dancing continues to escalate until the set peaks with "When a Woman's Fed Up" and the stepping songs "Happy People" and "Step in the Name of Love," accompanied by white balloons. Kelly saves "I Believe I Can Fly" for the encore, and this time white-dove balloons fill the sky. [Chicago Tribune]

Pitchfork Music Festival 2013 wrapped up on Sunday (7/21) with its most hip hop heavy day, including sets from rappers El-P, Killer Mike, Lil B, and Tree, plus rap producers TNGHT and Evian Christ (who both happen to be Kanye collaborators). And not exactly rap, but in that real there were also sets from MIA and obscure up-and-comer R. Kelly. It wasn't all hip hop though. Sunday also gave us sets from Foxygen (whose singer, Sam France, continued his streak of climbing at festivals), Yo La Tengo, Waxahatchee, Autre Ne Veut, Glass Candy, and more. Pictures of the final day of the festival are in this post.

If you haven't been keeping up with our coverage of Pitchfork festival, day 1 pictures and review are HERE, and more pictures are HERE and HERE. Day 2 pictures and review are HERE and more pictures are HERE. Day 3 pictures continue below...

As mentioned, Chicago's Pitchfork Music Festival is returning to Union Park from July 19-21 with sets from Bjork, Joanna Newsom, Belle & Sebastian, R. Kelly, Solange, Rustie, Low, The Breeders, Swans, Savages, Merchandise, Julia Holter, KEN mode, White Lung, TNGHT, Evian Christ, Waxahatchee, El-P, Killer Mike, and more across three stages (Red, Blue, and Green). The set times for the festival have now been announced, and you can check out the full day-by-day schedule below.

While Phoenix prepare for a much bigger tour that will include a stop at Brooklyn's Barclays Center in October (tickets), the French band wrapped up their post-Coachellatour of smaller North American venues at Harlem's historic Apollo Theatre last night (5/13). The band played a slightly longer set than their Sirius-sponsored show at Music Hall of Williamsburg last month, adding "Too Young" from their first album and "Fences" from Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix to the mix. And like at MHOW, frontman Thomas Mars got into the crowd to sing as well.

Opening was Blood Orange, an increasingly rare sight from Dev Hynes who is spending more and more time in the producer's chair these days. Photos from the Apollo are in this post.

In other news, Phoenix's next single from Bankrupt! is "Trying to Be Cool" and the band have released the individual "stems" from the track so that anyone can have a go at remixing it. You can download them here and check out a Silver Swans remix below.

Blood Orange (aka Dev Hynes) has a few dates scheduled for this year, including a few in NYC. The first is a benefit for LGBT rights organization Human Rights Campaign at Le Poisson Rouge on May 4 with Creep, MEN (the JD Samson one), Light Asylum, Nina Sky, and "surprise special guests." It's being hosted by Amanda Leigh Dunn and Becka Diamond is DJing. Tickets for that benefit are on sale now.

A few days later, both Dev and Creep will be headed to Glasslands on May 9 for another benefit: the previously discussed fundraiser for Benjamin Curtis of School of Seven Bells, who is battling cancer. Dev is DJing at that one and Creep is playing live. Plus, Exitmusic and Rewards are playing live, and Albert Hammond Jr. and Certain Creatures are DJing. Tickets for that one are still available.

Blood Orange will do a third NYC date a few days after the Glasslands show when he opens for Phoenix (whose single, "Entertainment," he recently remixed) when their tour hits The Apollo on May 13 for a sold out show. Phoenix's tour also includes a larger, not-sold-out show on October 2 at Barclays Center with The Vaccines (tickets). Phoenix's "Entertainment" was also just given the remix treatment yet again, this time by Dirty Projectors. You can download that above or stream it below.

After the NYC dates, Blood Orange doesn't have anything scheduled until Pitchfork Festival. All dates are listed below...